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Adecco Group

Adecco launches 2015 ‘CEO for One Month’ initiative in 30 countries

Candidates from around the world offered ground-breaking chance to work alongside Group CEO Patrick De Maeseneire

Zurich, Switzerland, February 24, 2015. Adecco Group, the world’s leading provider of Human Resources solutions, today invited young people around the world to apply for an opportunity to become ‘CEO for One Month’ in 30 countries. The successful applicants will gain the ‘CEO’ experience in their countries alongside the local Adecco senior management teams. One final candidate will also work as the ‘CEO for One Month’ with the Group CEO, Patrick De Maeseneire.

As part of the Adecco Way to WorkTM programme, the Group offers 30 young people the chance to learn directly from the highest level leaders of a Fortune 500 company. The selected candidates will have a unique opportunity to gain the personal experience of a lifetime and boost their future career prospects. Under the mentorship of Adecco Group CEO Patrick De Maeseneire, the final ‘CEO for One Month’ will also get the chance to learn about running a company with 32,000 employees and 19.5 billion euros in revenues in 2013, while earning a good salary.

Said Paola Ospina, 2014 ‘CEO for One Month’: “This was the greatest opportunity that ever happened to me. It changed my life. I’m so grateful to Adecco and wish other people could have the same opportunity.” Paola, from Colombia, was offered a position at Adecco Spain and will take up a role in the Marketing department, which fully suits her background.

Youngsters from all over the world can apply via the ‘CEO for One Month’ App. Initially, ‘CEOs’ from 30 countries will be selected. During the summer they will be placed in one month internships alongside local Adecco Country Managers. The 10 most successful will progress to a final round at the ‘CEO for One Month’ Boot Camp, after which one person will be selected. The successful candidate will be announced and will take up the role in September.

Patrick De Maeseneire said: “Youth unemployment is still one of the biggest worries in today’s world. Around 75 million young people worldwide are out of work. With the ‘CEO for One Month’ programme, Adecco is taking action to help youngsters improve their employability. Learning on the job and work-based training are the most relevant factors to foster and grow talent. Yet due to gaps in the education system, or to lack of opportunities, too many youngsters miss the crucial experience that companies need. We want to prevent a whole generation losing their dreams, this programme indeed proves that dreams can come true. Only one will be the Adecco Group ‘CEO for One Month’, but all 30 ’CEOs’ will have the experience of a lifetime”.

Adecco also shares its knowledge and expertise through its online career centre and a calendar of workshops in schools and universities, to also reinforce students’ future employability.